Great North Museum: Hancock

Photograph of the front of the Hancock Museum 1963, NUA/028473/1, NUA 16/7/1/9, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

In 1834 the Natural History Society of Northumbria opened their first museum to the public after a successful fundraising effort. As their collections grew they required more space and raised funds to build the present museum building which opened in 1884. In the 1891 the museum was renamed to honour John Hancock. Hancock was born in 1808 near the River Tyne and grew up with an interest in wildlife and nature. He developed skills in taxidermy, for which he would become nationally known, after contributing a collection of mounted birds to the 1851 Great Exhibition. Many of the specimens he prepared are owned by the Natural History Society of Northumbria to this day. 

A struggle to raise funds after the Second World War saw the building and collections leased to Newcastle University in 1960. Since 1992 the museum has been managed by Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums on the University’s behalf. 

In 2006 a £26 million programme was started to extend and refurbish the museum which included moving Newcastle University’s Museum of Antiquities and Shefton Museum collections into the extended building. The project, completed in 2011, included an extension designed by the practice of renowned architect, and Newcastle University graduate, Sir Terry Farrell. His extensive archive is now cared for by the University.  

Drawing of the proposed eastern elevation of the Great North Museum and extension, Farrell (Sir Terry) Archive, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186, kindly reproduced with the permission of the Terry Farrell Trust
3d visuals of the proposed extension of the Great North Museum, 2006, Farrell (Sir Terry) Archive, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186, kindly reproduced with the permission of the Terry Farrell Trust

Learn more about the Great North Museum: Hancock on their website.

Sources

Great North Museum Hancock (2021) About the Great North Museum: Hancock. Available at: https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/about-us/about-gnm

Natural History Society of Northumbria (2020) John Hancock: A Biography by T Russell Goddard (1929). Available at: https://www.nhsn.org.uk/john-hancock-a-biography-by-t-russell-goddard-1929/

Natural History Society of Northumbria (2020) Our story so far. Available at: https://www.nhsn.org.uk/timeline/

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

Urban Sciences Building

The Front of the Urban Sciences Building, image by Graeme Peacock

The Urban Sciences Building is a £58 million ‘living lab’ located on the Newcastle Helix development. Completed in 2017, the Urban Sciences Building was opened in 2018 by Matt Hancock former MP and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. 

The Urban Sciences Building is home to Newcastle University School of Computing Science, one of the world’s leading schools of computing. It also home to Newcastle Institute for Research on Sustainability (NIReS).  

An ‘intelligent building’ with 4,000 in-built censors providing data about its performance, the Urban Sciences Building is one of the most monitored and high-performance buildings in the country. 

It is the central hub of the UK’s first Urban Observatory which collects data from across the city about energy use, rainfall, flooding, air pollution (and even tweets!) to enable evidence-based decisions to be made about the future development and management of our cities. 

The building’s unique design has won it the Collaborative Built Environment Award and Digital Project of the Year Award. 

Interior of the Urban Sciences Building, image by John Donoghue

Learn about the Urban Sciences Building’s Virtual Opening on the University Website.

Sources

Newcastle helix (no date) Urban Sciences Building.  Available at: https://newcastlehelix.com/about/urban-sciences-building

Newcastle University Press Office (2021) Urban Sciences Building takes shape on Science Central. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2015/12/urbansciencesbuildingtakesshape/

Newcastle University Press Office (2021) Virtual opening for award winning Urban Sciences Building. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2018/06/usbopening/

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

Northern Stage

Northern Stage is a theatre and producing theatre company, situated at the heart of Newcastle University’s city centre campus.  

Originally the University Theatre, the building opened in 1970. This photograph taken in 1969 shows the site prior to the theatre’s construction. 

In the late 1980s, the Northern Stage Theatre Company, who had been resident at the theatre before temporarily moving, returned to the venue, and the theatre was renamed Newcastle Playhouse and Gulbenkian Studio, home of Northern Stage. 

After it closed for major refurbishment work in 2004, it was decided to amalgamate the venue (Newcastle Playhouse) and resident theatre company (Northern Stage) into one organisation. The building reopened its doors in 2006 under a new name, Northern Stage

Photograph of the Northern Stage, photograph taken by John Donoghue

Northern Stage is widely regarded as one of the top producing theatres in the UK and, each year, as well as their own in-house productions, Northern Stage presents work from visiting local, national and international companies and artists. 

See more information about Northern Stage on their website.

To see more photographs of Newcastle University campus from the university archives, visit CollectionsCaptured.

Sources

Co-Curate (no date) Northern Stage. Available at: https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/newcastle-playhouse/

Newcastle University (2018) Art on Campus. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/art-on-campus/iconic-buildings/#viewdetails

NorthernStage (no date) Northern Stage. Available at: https://www.northernstage.co.uk/

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

The Hatton Gallery

The Hatton Gallery is named in honour of Professor Richard George Hatton, the first Head of the King Edward VII School of Art. The gallery is part of the King Edward VII building, which opened in 1912.  

Hatton 2018, http://www.picturesbybish.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/picturesbybish/, photographed by Chris Bishop

With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the King Edward VII building, along with other University buildings, was requisitioned by the War Office as a part of the First Northern General Hospital, a military hospital for wounded service personnel.  

One of the most recognisable photographs in Special Collections to visitors of the Hatton Gallery is Ward C1 of the First Northern General Hospital. The pillars and domed skylights in this image are still a prominent feature of the Hatton’s main gallery.  

Photograph of wounded servicemen and staff on Ward C1 of the First Northern General Hospital 1914-19, NUA/041017-15, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

Less recognisable is this view of the roof of the gallery. However, careful inspection of the photograph reveals the Hatton’s domed skylights in the bottom left-hand corner.

After the First World War, Professor Hatton organised occasional exhibitions in the gallery and, following his death in 1926, the Art Committee decided to name the school’s public art gallery in his honour. 

The Hatton Gallery gained some new spaces in the 1960s when a large new extension to the Fine Art Department was built on stilts. In 1965, the iconic Merz Barn Wall, part of a construction created in a Lake District barn in the late 1940s by German artist Kurt Schwitters, was brought to the gallery and incorporated into the fabric of the building. 

Schwitters Mertzbarn installation in the Hatton Gallery 1968, NUA/054946/2, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

 In 2017 the gallery underwent at £3.8 million redevelopment. A modern exhibition space was created whilst at the same time conserving the historic and architectural elements of the Grade II listed building. 

Hatton Gallery Autumn 2017 (post refurb), Credit and Copyright ©: Colin Davison.+44 (0)7850 609 340.colin@rosellastudios.com.www.rosellastudios.com

The Hatton Gallery, which is now managed by Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums on behalf of Newcastle University, stages modern and contemporary art exhibitions and events. It also works closely with students from Newcastle University, hosting an annual exhibition celebrating the work of students graduating from the Fine Art Department. 

Find out more about the Hatton Gallery on their website.

Find out more about the University buildings during the First World War in this online exhibition.

Sources

Hatton Gallery (no date) Hatton. Available at: https://hattongallery.org.uk/

Newcastle University Library Special Collections (no date) A Higher Purpose: Newcastle University at War. Available at: https://speccollstories.ncl.ac.uk/Newcastle-University-at-War/

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

King Edward VII Building

The King Edward VII building forms part of the east and south parts of the Quadrangle at Newcastle University. The building was named in honour of King Edward VII who was King of Britain from 1901 until his death in 1910. It was built in 1911 to house the King Edward VII school of Art and is still where the Fine Art Department and the University’s public art gallery, the Hatton Gallery, are housed today.  

Views of the front steps and entrance foyer of the King Edward VII building close to the time of its completion, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

The south section of the King Edward VII building adjoins the Arches, over which there is a statue of King Edward VII. 

The Arches leading to the Quadrangle 1960, NUA/007036/1, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

During the First World War the King Edward VII building was requisitioned to house the First Northern General hospital. 

Visit CollectionsCaptured to see more photographs of Newcastle University campus from the University Archives

Sources

Co-Curate (no date) King Edward VII Building. Available at: King Edward VII Building, Newcastle University | Co-Curate (ncl.ac.uk) 

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

Philip Robinson Library

The Philip Robinson Library (© Chris Bishop)

The Philip Robinson Library is the main library for Newcastle University. It contains resources for all subjects except Medicine and Law, which have their own dedicated libraries on campus. The building opened in 1982, occupying ground cleared during the construction of the Newcastle Central Motorway in the early 1970s. It was named after Philip Robinson, a distinguished bookseller in the city and benefactor to the library, in 1989.  

Philip Robinson’s Bookshop in Newcastle: (© unknown) 

The building was designed by the Newcastle-based architect Harry Faulkner-Brown, a pioneering designer of modern library buildings in the UK and a graduate of Newcastle University. He incorporated echoes of a Northumbrian castle fortress into its appearance through its long narrow windows reminiscent of arrow slits. The building was extended in 1996 to provide additional study space, better provision for staff-user interaction, more teaching space and a large computer cluster. 

The exterior of the Robinson Library building 1982, NUA UNCAT ROB 1, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

The library was initially known simply as the Robinson Library until 2016, when it was renamed as the Philip Robinson Library to distinguish it from the new Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms (located on Sandyford Road), named after Philip Robinson’s wife Marjorie who was also a hugely generous benefactor to the library.  

Visit CollectionsCaptured to see more photographs of Newcastle University campus from the University Archives.

Sources

McCord, Norman (2006) Newcastle University Past, Present and Future. Newcastle: Third Millennium Publishing. 

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

Martin Luther King Statue

Statue of Martin Luther King Jr in King’s Quad, Newcastle University (© Phil Roughley)

The two-metre-tall bronze statue of Martin Luther King Jr, situated in the inner courtyard of the Armstrong Building, was erected in 2017 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Dr King’s visit to Newcastle to accept an honorary degree. It stands in the King’s Quad, next to King’s Hall, the setting for Dr King’s honorary degree ceremony in 1967. The statue now forms a focal point of the procession route that students at the University take at the end of their graduation ceremony. The first major art commission by the University since 1962, the statue was unveiled by Ambassador Andrew Young, a close friend and colleague of Dr King who accompanied him to Newcastle in 1967.   

Ambassador Andrew Young; Professor Chris Day, and Nigel Boonham in front of the Martin Luther King statue (© Newcastle University)

The base of the statue is encircled by bronze lettering inset into Caithness paving, featuring text taken from the civil rights leader’s powerful acceptance speech in which he spoke of the ‘three urgent and grave problems’ facing the world: war, poverty and racism. It was Dr King’s last public address outside the US before he was assassinated, barely six months later. The statue was created by sculptor Nigel Boonham who spent months researching Dr King before deciding on the statue’s final pose, which he described as, “Dr King standing firm with legs apart, holding his hat and leaning back slightly. It appeared to me that Dr King was braced for whatever came his way.”  

Statue of Martin Luther King Jr in King’s Quad, Newcastle University (© Phil Roughley)

The statue’s installation and unveiling were significant milestones in Freedom City 2017, a year-long city-wide programme of events which commemorated the anniversary of Dr King’s visit to Newcastle.  

Photograph of Martin Luther King signing the University’s visitors’ book 1967, NUA/052589/05, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

Learn more about Martin Luther King’s visit to Newcastle in 1967 is this online exhibition

Sources

Newcastle University Press Office (2017) Statue unveiled in honour of Martin Luther King Jr. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2017/11/martinlutherkingstatueunveiled/

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

Frederick Douglass Centre

Photograph of the Frederick Douglass Centre, image by Graeme Peacock

The Frederick Douglass Centre is one of the newest buildings at Newcastle University, housing state of the art learning and teaching facilities. It takes its name from the prominent slavery abolitionist, author and diplomatist, Frederick Douglass. Douglass was born around 1818 as an enslaved person in Maryland, USA. He escaped from slavery in 1838, and after publishing his autobiography titled ‘Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave’, he travelled to Newcastle in 1846, as part of a lecture tour. While in Newcastle, Douglass stayed with Anna and Ellen Richardson on Summerhill Grove, near where The Frederick Douglass Centre stands today. The Richardsons were Quaker sisters-in-law, who raised the funds to buy Douglass’ freedom later that year. 

Photograph of Frederick Douglass, taken c. 1879

The building was inspired by a unique property which once stood on the same street. Oystershell House was built in the 1800s, and the whole building, with the exception of the roof, was covered with oyster shells which shined in the sun. The new centre was officially opened in November 2019 by Kenneth B Morris Jr. Morris is President of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI), and one of Douglass’ direct descendants. 

The Monthly Chronicle of North Country Lore and Legend 1890, CLARKE 2066-4, Clarke (Edwin) Local Collection

Learn more about the life of Frederick Douglass on this webpage

Sources

Newcastle University (2021) Frederick Douglass. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/frederick-douglass/

Newcastle University Press Office (2018) Helix building named in honour of social reformer and abolitionist. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2018/12/thefrederickdouglasscentre/

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2020) Frederick Douglass. Available at: https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-Douglass107532

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

The Armstrong Building

Drawing of the exterior of the Armstrong Building 1893, NUA/041017/15, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

The Armstrong Building is the oldest building on the campus and is the site of the original Armstrong College. It was constructed and opened in three stages between 1888 and 1906.  The final stage of opening in 1906 was carried out by King Edward VII. The building contains the impressive wood-panelled King’s Hall, which serves as the University’s chief venue for ceremonial events including Congregations. The Hall was named in honour of King Edward VII.  

Photograph of wounded servicemen and nurses on Ward A1 of the 1st Northern General Hospital 1914-1919, NUA/041017-18, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

During the First World War, the building was requisitioned by the War Office to create the 1st Northern General Hospital, a facility for the Royal Army Medical Corps to treat military casualties. The building’s foyer houses the Armstrong Memorial which was unveiled in 1923 and lists 223 members of the College who lost their lives during the First World War. 

Photograph of the Armstrong building and Quadrangle.

The Armstrong Building takes its name from the local engineer, industrialist and arms manufacturer Sir William Armstrong (1810 –1900) who provided substantial financial and practical support towards the foundation at Newcastle of the Durham College of Physical Science which would ultimately evolve into Newcastle University. The college was renamed as Armstrong College after his death. More recently there has been increased scrutiny of Armstrong’s legacy and there are plans to contextualise him as a historical figure through physical and digital signposting in and around the Armstrong Building, as part of a wider initiative to create an inclusive campus environment. 

Read more about the role played by the Armstrong Building and other parts of the University during both World Wars in this online exhibition.

Learn more about the Armstrong Memorial and a Heritage Lottery -Funded project to conduct research into those listed on it in this digital resource.  

Sources

Bettenson, E.M. The University of Newcastle upon Tyne: A Historical Introduction 1834 – 1971 (University of Newcastle Upon Tune, 1974) 

Special Collections Newcastle University (2010) The Armstrong Effect: The Life & Legacy of Lord Armstrong. Available at: https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/speccoll/2010/11/01/the-armstrong-effect-the-life-legacy-of-lord-armstrong/

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.

The Bedson Building

(c) Newcastle University; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation

The Bedson building, named after Professor Peter Bedson (1853-1943) Head of Chemistry, was built to house the growing number of students and researchers studying Chemistry at King’s College.  

The construction of the Bedson building was due to begin in 1939 however the outbreak of the Second World War saw plans grind to a sudden halt. Whilst the College did not have to give up its premises during this time, a considerable amount of research was carried out by the Chemistry Department towards the war effort.  

Permission to begin work on the new building was finally granted in 1946 and two new Chemistry Department wings were opened on 10th December 1949. These new additions were five storeys high to accommodate the further rise in student intake, over treble what it had been ten years earlier.  

Outside view of Bedson Building 1954, NUA/003573/14, Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

Further additions to the building were made in 1959 and included: a 300-seat Chemistry Lecture Theatre, laboratories and corridors with a floor finish in ‘Rhodesian teak wood block chosen for its rich appearance, durability and acid-resisting quality’. These were officially opened by H.R.H. Princess Margaret on 30th April 1959. 

Laboratory in Bedson Building 1954, NUA/003573/8,  Newcastle University Archives, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB 186

The refurbished Chemistry Department became home to many outstanding and pioneering chemists. Radiation chambers were later built specifically for Joseph Joshua Weiss, Professor of Radiation Chemistry from 1956, to continue his work on high energy radiation, and he went on to receive the Marie Cure Medal of the Curie Institute in 1970. Martin Fleischmann, perhaps best known for his controversial research into cold fusion, began his teaching career in electrochemistry at King’s College in 1950 and remained until 1967. Furthermore, James Baddiley, Professor of Organic Chemistry from 1954 to 1977, was awarded the Davy Medal in 1974 for ‘distinguished research on coenzyme A and studies of the constituents of bacterial cell walls’, and then knighted in 1977. 

Visit CollectionsCaptured to see more photographs of Newcastle University campus from the university archives.

Sources

Art UK (no date) Professor Peter Phillips Bedson. Available at: https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/professor-peter-phillips-bedson-18531943-57326

McCord, Norman (2006) Newcastle University Past, Present and Future. Newcastle: Third Millennium Publishing. 

Newcastle University (2018) Our History. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sage/about/ourhistory/

Want to learn more about the history of Newcastle University campus? Why not explore all the articles in our Campus Tour blog series.